ICPC
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a Director in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mrs Adiobome Lere-Adams, on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and corruption.
Mrs Lere-Adams was docked on Monday before Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, over allegations that she received and retained proceeds of unlawful activities from a subordinate.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025, the offences allegedly took place between August 2022 and January 2024 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The ICPC prosecution team, led by Mrs Onwuka Ngozi, told the court that the defendant unlawfully received various sums of money from her subordinate, Mr Henry David, which she knew or reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of corruption.
This was contained in a statement signed by the ICPC spokesperson, J Okor Odey, a copy made available to the press on Tuesday in Kano.
The Commission further alleged that she transferred substantial portions of the funds to her husband, Mr Olujimi Lere-Adams, and to a Fidelity Bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams.
One of the counts stated that the defendant, on or about August 18, 2022, allegedly took possession of and retained N2 million transferred into her First Bank account by her subordinate, funds said to be proceeds of corruption.
The charge was brought under Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC said the charges also contravene provisions of the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Federal Provisions Act and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The defendant, represented by her counsel, Barrister Nduka, pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
Following a bail application by the defence, Justice Liman granted bail to Mrs Lere-Adams in the sum of N5 million, with one surety in like sum.
The court directed that the surety must reside within its jurisdiction, provide a verifiable address, submit two passport photographs for verification by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and file a sworn affidavit alongside three years’ tax clearance certificates.
At the request of the defence and without objection from the prosecution, the court granted the defendant a 72-hour grace period to meet the bail conditions, warning that failure to comply would lead to revocation of the bail.
The matter was adjourned until April 20, 2026, for hearing.
In a statement signed by its Spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr. J. Okor Odey, the ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to holding public officials accountable and ensuring that those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain are brought to justice.
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